Optical down-converter using universal frequency translation technology

ABSTRACT

A method and system for converting an optical signal to electrical information signals, including demodulated baseband information signals and modulated baseband signals at multiple harmonics. In an embodiment, the optical information signal is amplitude modulated with information. The method converts an optical signal to electrical charge, accumulates the electrical charge, and periodically transfers the accumulated electrical charge to a storage device, whereby the periodically transferred electrical charge forms the electrical signals. An exemplary system includes an optical transducer and a universal frequency translator coupled to an output of the optical transducer. The optical transducer receives an optical signal and converts the optical signal to electrical charge. The universal frequency translator periodically transfers energy from the electrical charge and forms the electrical signals from the transferred energy. In an embodiment, the present invention converts an I and Q optical signal to electrical signals. In an embodiment, the present invention converts an optical signal to an RF electrical signal using relatively few components, while preserving information content.

This application is a continuation-in-part of the following U.S. applications:

Ser. No. 09/376,359, filed Aug. 18, 1999, titled “Method and System for Down-Converting Electromagnetic Signals by Sampling and Integrating Over Apertures Method and System for Down-Converting an Electromagnetic Signal”, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,518 B1;

Ser. No. 09/521,879, filed Mar. 9, 2000 now abandoned, titled “Matched Filter Characterization and Implementation of Universal Frequency Translation Method and Apparatus”;

Ser. No. 09/550,644, filed Apr. 14, 2000, titled, “Method and System for Down-converting Electromagnetic Signal, Transforms for the Same, and Aperture Relationships,”; and

Ser. No. 09/176,154, filed Oct. 21, 1998, titled, “Method and System for Frequency Up-Conversion”, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,091,940.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

The following applications of common assignee are related to the present application, and are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties:

“Method and System for Down-Converting Electromagnetic Signals,” Ser. No. 09/176,022, filed Oct. 21, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,551.

“Method and System for Frequency Up-Conversion,” Ser. No. 09/176,154, filed Oct. 21, 1998.

“Method and System for Ensuring Reception of a Communications Signal,” Ser. No. 09/176,415, filed Oct. 21, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,555.

“Integrated Frequency Translation And Selectivity,” Ser. No. 09/176,966, filed Oct. 21, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,706.

“Applications of Universal Frequency Translation,” Ser. No. 09/261,129, filed Mar. 3, 1999.

“Method and System for Down-Converting Electromagnetic Signals Having Optimized Switch Structures,” Ser. No. 09/293,095, filed Apr. 16, 1999.

“Method and System for Down-Converting Electromagnetic Signals Including Resonant Structures for Enhanced Energy Transfer,” Ser. No. 09/293,342, filed Apr. 16, 1999.

“Method and System for Frequency Up-Conversion with a Variety of Transmitter Configurations,” Ser. No. 09/293,580, filed Apr. 16, 1999.

“Integrated Frequency Translation and Selectivity with a Variety of Filter Embodiments,” Ser. No. 09/293,283, filed Apr. 16, 1999.

“Matched Filter Characterization and Implementation of Universal Frequency Translation Method and Apparatus,” Ser. No. 09/521,879, filed Mar. 9, 2000.

“Method, System, and Apparatus for Balanced Frequency Up-Conversion of a Baseband Signal,” Ser. No. 09/525,615, filed Mar. 14, 2000.

“DC Offset, Re-radiation, and I/Q Solutions using Universal Frequency Translation Technology,” Ser. No. 09/526,041, filed Mar. 14, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally related to conversion of optical signals and, more particularly, to conversion of optical signals to demodulated baseband electrical information signals and to modulated electrical signals, such as RF signals, using universal frequency translation technology.

2. Related Art

Conventional methods and systems for converting optical signals to electrical suffer from the disadvantage of being relatively expensive in terms of cost and power consumption. Conventional optical signal conversion circuitry is complex and has a large number of circuit parts. This complexity and high parts count increases overall cost. Additionally, higher part counts result in higher power consumption, which is undesirable, particularly in battery powered repeater units.

What is needed is are improved methods and systems for converting optical information signals to electrical signals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to methods and systems for converting optical signals to electrical signals, including demodulated baseband electrical signals and modulated electrical signals. In an embodiment, the optical information signal is amplitude modulated with information.

The method converts an optical signal to electrical charge, accumulates the electrical charge, and periodically transfers the accumulated electrical charge to a storage device, whereby the periodically transferred electrical charge forms electrical signals. In an embodiment, the electrical signals include demodulated baseband information electrical signals and modulated electrical signals, such as RF signals.

An exemplary system includes an optical transducer and a universal frequency translator coupled to an output of the optical transducer. The optical transducer receives an optical signal and converts the optical signal to electrical charge. The universal frequency translator periodically transfers energy from the electrical charge and forms the electrical signals from the transferred energy.

In an embodiment, the present invention converts an I and Q optical signal.

Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is generally indicated by the left-most digit(s) in the corresponding reference number.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention shall be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a universal frequency translation (UFT) module according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a more detailed diagram of a universal frequency translation (UFT) module according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1C illustrates a UFT module used in a universal frequency down-conversion (UFD) module according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1D illustrates a UFT module used in a universal frequency up-conversion (UFU) module according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a universal frequency translation (UFT) module according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a universal frequency up-conversion (UFU) module according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a more detailed diagram of a universal frequency up-conversion (UFU) module according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a universal frequency up-conversion (UFU) module according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 6A-61 illustrate example waveforms used to describe the operation of the UFU module.

FIG. 7 illustrates a UFT module used in a receiver according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a UFT module used in a transmitter according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an environment comprising a transmitter and a receiver, each of which may be implemented using a UFT module of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a transceiver according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a transceiver according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates an environment comprising a transmitter and a receiver, each of which may be implemented using enhanced signal reception (ESR) components of the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a UFT module used in a unified down-conversion and filtering (UDF) module according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example receiver implemented using a UDF module according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 15A-15F illustrate example applications of the UDF module according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates an environment comprising a transmitter and a receiver, each of which may be implemented using enhanced signal reception (ESR) components of the invention, wherein the receiver may be further implemented using one or more UFD modules of the invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates a unified down-converting and filtering (UDF) module according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a table of example values at nodes in the UDF module of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a detailed diagram of an example UDF module according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 20A and 20G are example aliasing modules according to embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 20B-20F are example waveforms used to describe the operation of the aliasing modules of FIGS. 20A and 20G.

FIG. 21 illustrates an enhanced signal reception system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 22A-22F are example waveforms used to describe the system of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23A illustrates an example transmitter in an enhanced signal reception system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 23B and 23C are example waveforms used to further describe the enhanced signal reception system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23D illustrates another example transmitter in an enhanced signal reception system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 23E and 23F are example waveforms used to further describe the enhanced signal reception system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 24A illustrates an example receiver in an enhanced signal reception system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 24B-24J are example waveforms used to further describe the enhanced signal reception system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 25 illustrates a high level block diagram of an optical converter in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 26 illustrates an example embodiment of the optical converter illustrated in FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 illustrates an example implementation of an optical transducer illustrated in FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 illustrates an example implementation of a universal frequency translator illustrated in FIG. 26.

FIG. 29 illustrates example details of a universal frequency translator illustrated in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 illustrates exemplary details of the universal frequency translator illustrated in FIG. 26.

FIG. 31 illustrates exemplary details of the universal frequency translator illustrated in FIG. 26.

FIG. 32 illustrates an example portion of an optical signal.

FIG. 33 illustrates an example hypothetical charging signal.

FIG. 34 illustrates an example energy transfer signal for controlling the universal frequency translator illustrated in FIG. 28.

FIG. 35 illustrates an example charging/discharging signal.

FIG. 36 illustrates a hypothetical energy transfer storage signal.

FIG. 37 illustrates an example demodulated electrical information signal generated in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 38A illustrates an example I&Q optical converter, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 38B illustrates an example implementation of the I&Q optical converter illustrated in FIG. 38A.

FIG. 38C illustrates an example process flowchart for demodulating an optical signal to a demodulated electrical information signal, in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 39-42 illustrate example implementations of a switch module according to embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 43A-B illustrate example aperture generators.

FIGS. 44-45 illustrate example aperture generators.

FIG. 46 illustrates an oscillator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 47 illustrates an energy transfer system with an optional energy transfer signal module according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 48 illustrates an aliasing module with input and output impedance match according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 49A illustrates an example pulse generator:

FIGS. 49B and C illustrate example waveforms related to the pulse generator of FIG. 49A.

FIG. 50 illustrates an example energy transfer module with a switch module and a reactive storage module according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 51A-B illustrate example energy transfer systems according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 52A illustrates an example energy transfer signal module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 52B illustrates a flowchart of state machine operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 52C is an example energy transfer signal module.

FIG. 53 is a schematic diagram of a circuit to down-convert a 915 MHZ signal to a 5 MHZ signal using a 101.1 MHZ clock according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 54 shows example simulation waveforms for the circuit of FIG. 53 according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 55 is a schematic diagram of a circuit to down-convert a 915 MHZ signal to a 5 MHZ signal using a 101 MHZ clock according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 56 shows example simulation waveforms for the circuit of FIG. 55 according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 57 is a schematic diagram of a circuit to down-convert a 915 MHZ signal to a 5 MHZ signal using a 101.1 MHZ clock according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 58 shows example simulation waveforms for the circuit of FIG. 57 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 59 shows a schematic of the circuit in FIG. 53 connected to an FSK source that alternates between 913 and 917 MHZ at a baud rate of 500 Kbaud according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 60A illustrates an example energy transfer system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 60B-C illustrate example timing diagrams for the example system of FIG. 60A.

FIG. 61 illustrates an example bypass network according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 62 illustrates an example bypass network according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 63 illustrates an example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 64A illustrates an example real time aperture control circuit according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 64B illustrates a timing diagram of an example clock signal for real time aperture control, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 64C illustrates a timing diagram of an example optional enable signal for real time aperture control, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 64D illustrates a timing diagram of an inverted clock signal for real time aperture control, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 64E illustrates a timing diagram of an example delayed clock signal for real time aperture control, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 64F illustrates a timing diagram of an example energy transfer including pulses having apertures that are controlled in real time, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 65 illustrates an example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 66 illustrates an example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 67 illustrates an example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 68 illustrates an example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 69A is a timing diagram for the example embodiment of FIG. 65.

FIG. 69B is a timing diagram for the example embodiment of FIG. 66.

FIG. 70A is a timing diagram for the example embodiment of FIG. 67.

FIG. 70B is a timing diagram for the example embodiment of FIG. 68.

FIG. 71A illustrates and example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 71B illustrates example equations for determining charge transfer, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 71C illustrates relationships between capacitor charging and aperture, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 71D illustrates relationships between capacitor charging and aperture, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 71E illustrates power-charge relationship equations, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 71F illustrates insertion loss equations, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 72 shows an original FSK waveform and a down-converted waveform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Table of Contents

1. Overview of the Invention

2. Universal Frequency Translation

3. Frequency Down-Conversion

-   -   3.1. Optical Energy Transfer Signal Module     -   3.2. Smoothing the Down-Converted Signal     -   3.3. Impedance Matching     -   3.4. Tanks and Resonant Structures     -   3.5. Charge and Power Transfer Concepts     -   3.6. Optimizing and Adjusting the Non-Negligible Aperture         Width/Duration         -   3.6.1. Varying Input and Output Impedances         -   3.6.2. Real Time Aperture Control     -   3.7. Adding a Bypass Network     -   3.8. Modifying the Energy Transfer Signal Utilizing Feedback     -   3.9. Other Implementations     -   3.10. Example Energy Transfer Down-Converters         4. Frequency Up-Conversion         5. Enhanced Signal Reception         6. Unified Down-Conversion and Filtering         7. Example Application Embodiments of the Invention         8. Optical to Electrical Conversion     -   8.1. System for Converting an Optical Signal         -   8.1.1. In-Phase and Quadrature-Phase Conversion     -   8.2. Method for Converting an Optical Signal         9. Conclusions

1. OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to methods and systems for demodulating an optical signal to a demodulated electrical information signal.

An optical converter in accordance with the present invention may include one or more receivers, transmitters, and transceivers. According to embodiments of the invention, at least some of these receivers, transmitters, and transceivers are implemented using universal frequency translation (UFT) modules. The UFT modules perform frequency translation operations. Embodiments of the present invention incorporating various applications of the UFT module are described below.

Optical converters, in accordance with the present invention, exhibit multiple advantages by using UFT modules. These advantages include, but are not limited to, lower power consumption, longer power source life, fewer parts, lower cost, less tuning, and more effective signal transmission and reception. An optical converter, in accordance with the present invention, can receive and transmit optical signals across a broad frequency range. The structure and operation of embodiments of the UFT module, and various applications of the same are described in detail in the following sections.

2. UNIVERSAL FREQUENCY TRANSLATION

The present invention is related to frequency translation, and applications of same. Such applications include, but are not limited to, frequency down-conversion, frequency up-conversion, enhanced signal reception, unified down-conversion and filtering, and combinations and applications of same.

FIG. 1A illustrates a universal frequency translation (UFT) module 102 according to embodiments of the invention. (The UFT module is also sometimes called a universal frequency translator, or a universal translator.)

As indicated by the example of FIG. 1A, some embodiments of the UFT module 102 include three ports (nodes), designated in FIG. 1A as Port 1, Port 2, and Port 3. Other UFT embodiments include other than three ports.

Generally, the UFT module 102 (perhaps in combination with other components) operates to generate an output signal from an input signal, where the frequency of the output signal differs from the frequency of the input signal. In other words, the UFT module 102 (and perhaps other components) operates to generate the output signal from the input signal by translating the frequency (and perhaps other characteristics) of the input signal to the frequency (and perhaps other characteristics) of the output signal.

An example embodiment of the UFT module 103 is generally illustrated in FIG. 1B. Generally, the UFT module 103 includes a switch 106 controlled by a control signal 108. The switch 106 is said to be a controlled switch.

As noted above, some UFT embodiments include other than three ports. For example, and without limitation, FIG. 2 illustrates an example UFT module 202. The example UFT module 202 includes a diode 204 having two ports, designated as Port 1 and Port 2/3. This embodiment does not include a third port, as indicated by the dotted line around the “Port 3” label.

The UFT module is a very powerful and flexible device. Its flexibility is illustrated, in part, by the wide range of applications in which it can be used. Its power is illustrated, in part, by the usefulness and performance of such applications.

For example, a UFT module 115 can be used in a universal frequency down-conversion (UFD) module 114, an example of which is shown in FIG. 1C. In this capacity, the UFT module 115 frequency down-converts an input signal to an output signal.

As another example, as shown in FIG. 1D, a UFT module 117 can be used in a universal frequency up-conversion (UFU) module 116. In this capacity, the UFT module 117 frequency up-converts an input signal to an output signal.

These and other applications of the UFT module are described below. Additional applications of the UFT module will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. In some applications, the UFT module is a required component. In other applications, the UFT module is an optional component.

3. FREQUENCY DOWN-CONVERSION

The present invention is directed to systems and methods of universal frequency down-conversion, and applications of same.

In particular, the following discussion describes down-converting using a Universal Frequency Translation Module. The down-conversion of an EM signal by aliasing the EM signal at an aliasing rate is fully described in co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “Method and System for Down-Converting Electromagnetic Signals,” Ser. No. 09/176,022, filed Oct. 21, 1998, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. A relevant portion of the above mentioned patent application is summarized below to describe down-converting an input signal to produce a down-converted signal that exists at a lower frequency or a baseband signal.

FIG. 20A illustrates an aliasing module 2000 for down-conversion using a universal frequency translation (UFT) module 2002 which down-converts an EM input signal 2004. In particular embodiments, aliasing module 2000 includes a switch 2008 and a capacitor 2010. The electronic alignment of the circuit components is flexible. That is, in one implementation, the switch 2008 is in series with input signal 2004 and capacitor 2010 is shunted to ground (although it may be other than ground in configurations such as differential mode). In a second implementation (see FIG. 20G), the capacitor 2010 is in series with the input signal 2004 and the switch 2008 is shunted to ground (although it may be other than ground in configurations such as differential mode). Aliasing module 2000 with UFT module 2002 can be easily tailored to down-convert a wide variety of electromagnetic signals using aliasing frequencies that are well below the frequencies of the EM input signal 2004.

In one implementation, aliasing module 2000 down-converts the input signal 2004 to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another implementation, the aliasing module 2000 down-converts the input signal 2004 to a demodulated baseband signal. In yet another implementation, the input signal 2004 is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, and the aliasing module 2000 down-converts it to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal. Each of the above implementations is described below.

In an embodiment, the control signal 2006 includes a train of pulses that repeat at an aliasing rate that is equal to, or less than, twice the frequency of the input signal 2004. In this embodiment, the control signal 2006 is referred to herein as an aliasing signal because it is below the Nyquist rate for the frequency of the input signal 2004. Preferably, the frequency of control signal 2006 is much less than the input signal 2004.

A train of pulses 2018 as shown in FIG. 20D controls the switch 2008 to alias the input signal 2004 with the control signal 2006 to generate a down-converted output signal 2012. More specifically, in an embodiment, switch 2008 closes on a first edge of each pulse 2020 of FIG. 20D and opens on a second edge of each pulse. When the switch 2008 is closed, the input signal 2004 is coupled to the capacitor 2010, and charge is transferred from the input signal to the capacitor 2010. The charge stored during successive pulses forms down-converted output signal 2012.

Exemplary waveforms are shown in FIGS. 20B-20F.

FIG. 20B illustrates an analog amplitude modulated (AM) carrier signal 2014 that is an example of input signal 2004. For illustrative purposes, in FIG. 20C, an analog AM carrier signal portion 2016 illustrates a portion of the analog AM carrier signal 2014 on an expanded time scale. The analog AM carrier signal portion 2016 illustrates the analog AM carrier signal 2014 from time t₀ time t₁.

FIG. 20D illustrates an exemplary aliasing signal 2018 that is an example of control signal 2006. Aliasing signal 2018 is on approximately the same time scale as the analog AM carrier signal portion 2016. In the example shown in FIG. 20D, the aliasing signal 2018 includes a train of pulses 2020 having negligible apertures that tend towards zero (the invention is not limited to this embodiment, as discussed below). The pulse aperture may also be referred to as the pulse width as will be understood by those skilled in the art(s). The pulses 2020 repeat at an aliasing rate, or pulse repetition rate of aliasing signal 2018. The aliasing rate is determined as described below, and further described in co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “Method and System for Down-converting Electromagnetic Signals,” Ser. No. 09/176,022.

As noted above, the train of pulses 2020 (i.e., control signal 2006) control the switch 2008 to alias the analog AM carrier signal 2016 (i.e., input signal 2004) at the aliasing rate of the aliasing signal 2018. Specifically, in this embodiment, the switch 2008 closes on a first edge of each pulse and opens on a second edge of each pulse. When the switch 2008 is closed, input signal 2004 is coupled to the capacitor 2010, and charge is transferred from the input signal 2004 to the capacitor 2010. The charge transferred during a pulse is referred to herein as an under-sample. Exemplary under-samples 2022 form down-converted signal portion 2024 (FIG. 20E) that corresponds to the analog AM carrier signal portion 2016 (FIG. 20C) and the train of pulses 2020 (FIG. 20D). The charge stored during successive under-samples of AM carrier signal 2014 form the down-converted signal 2024 (FIG. 20E) that is an example of down-converted output signal 2012 (FIG. 20A). In FIG. 20F, a demodulated baseband signal 2026 represents the demodulated baseband signal 2024 after filtering on a compressed time scale. As illustrated, down-converted signal 2026 has substantially the same “amplitude envelope” as AM carrier signal 2014. Therefore, FIGS. 20B-20F illustrate down-conversion of AM carrier signal 2014.

The waveforms shown in FIGS. 20B-20F are discussed herein for illustrative purposes only, and are not limiting. Additional exemplary time domain and frequency domain drawings, and exemplary methods and systems of the invention relating thereto, are disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “Method and System for Down-converting Electromagnetic Signals,” Ser. No. 09/176,022.

The aliasing rate of control signal 2006 determines whether the input signal 2004 is down-converted to an IF signal, down-converted to a demodulated baseband signal, or down-converted from an FM signal to a PM or an AM signal. Generally, relationships between the input signal 2004, the aliasing rate of the control signal 2006, and the down-converted output signal 2012 are illustrated below: (Freq. of input signal 2004)=n·(Freq. of control signal 2006)±(Freq. of down-converted output signal 2012) For the examples contained herein, only the “+” condition will be discussed. The value of n represents a harmonic or sub-harmonic of input signal 2004 (e.g., n=0.5, 1, 2, 3, . . . ).

When the aliasing rate of control signal 2006 is off-set from the frequency of input signal 2004, or off-set from a harmonic or sub-harmonic thereof, input signal 2004 is down-converted to an IF signal. This is because the under-sampling pulses occur at different phases of subsequent cycles of input signal 2004. As a result, the under-samples form a lower frequency oscillating pattern. If the input signal 2004 includes lower frequency changes, such as amplitude, frequency, phase, etc., or any combination thereof, the charge stored during associated under-samples reflects the lower frequency changes, resulting in similar changes on the down-converted IF signal. For example, to down-convert a 901 MHZ input signal to a 1 MHZ IF signal, the frequency of the control signal 2006 would be calculated as follows: (Freq_(input)−Freq_(IF))/n=Freq_(control) (901 MHZ−1 MHZ)/n=900/n For n=0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., the frequency of the control signal 2006 would be substantially equal to 1.8 GHz, 900 MHZ, 450 MHZ, 300 MHZ, 225 MHZ, etc.

Exemplary time domain and frequency domain drawings, illustrating down-conversion of analog and digital AM, PM and FM signals to IF signals, and exemplary methods and systems thereof, are disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “Method and System for Down-converting Electromagnetic Signals,” Ser. No. 09/176,022.

Alternatively, when the aliasing rate of the control signal 2006 is substantially equal to the frequency of the input signal 2004, or substantially equal to a harmonic or sub-harmonic thereof, input signal 2004 is directly down-converted to a demodulated baseband signal. This is because, without modulation, the under-sampling pulses occur at the same point of subsequent cycles of the input signal 2004. As a result, the under-samples form a constant output baseband signal. If the input signal 2004 includes lower frequency changes, such as amplitude, frequency, phase, etc., or any combination thereof, the charge stored during associated under-samples reflects the lower frequency changes, resulting in similar changes on the demodulated baseband signal. For example, to directly down-convert a 900 MHZ input signal to a demodulated baseband signal (i.e., zero IF), the frequency of the control signal 2006 would be calculated as follows: (Freq_(input)−Freq_(IF))/n=Freq_(control) (900 MHZ−0 MHZ)/n=900 MHZ/n For n=0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., the frequency of the control signal 2006 should be substantially equal to 1.8 GHz, 900 MHZ, 450 MHZ, 300 MHZ, 225 MHZ, etc.

Exemplary time domain and frequency domain drawings, illustrating direct down-conversion of analog and digital AM and PM signals to demodulated baseband signals, and exemplary methods and systems thereof, are disclosed in the co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “Method and System for Down-converting Electromagnetic Signals,” Ser. No. 09/176,022.

Alternatively, to down-convert an input FM signal to a non-FM signal, a frequency within the FM bandwidth must be down-converted to baseband (i.e., zero IF). As an example, to down-convert a frequency shift keying (FSK) signal (a sub-set of FM) to a phase shift keying (PSK) signal (a subset of PM), the mid-point between a lower frequency F₁ and an upper frequency F₂ (that is, [(F₁+F₂)÷2]) of the FSK signal is down-converted to zero IF. For example, to down-convert an FSK signal having F₁ equal to 899 MHZ and F₂ equal to 901 MHZ, to a PSK signal, the aliasing rate of the control signal 2006 would be calculated as follows:

$\quad\begin{matrix} {{{Frequency}\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu}{the}\mspace{14mu}{input}} = {\left( {F_{1} + F_{2}} \right) \div 2}} \\ {= {\left( {{899\mspace{20mu}{MHZ}} + {901\mspace{14mu}{MHZ}}} \right) \div 2}} \\ {= {900\mspace{14mu}{MHZ}}} \end{matrix}$ Frequency of the down-converted signal=0 (i.e., baseband) (Freq_(input)−Freq_(IF))/n=Freq_(control) (900 MHZ−0 MHZ)/n=900 MHZ/n For n=0.5, 1, 2, 3, etc., the frequency of the control signal 2006 should be substantially equal to 1.8 GHz, 900 MHZ, 450 MHZ, 300 MHZ, 225 MHZ, etc. The frequency of the down-converted PSK signal is substantially equal to one half the difference between the lower frequency F₁ and the upper frequency F₂.

As another example, to down-convert a FSK signal to an amplitude shift keying (ASK) signal (a subset of AM), either the lower frequency F₁ or the upper frequency F₂ of the FSK signal is down-converted to zero IF. For example, to down-convert an FSK signal having F₁ equal to 900 MHZ and F₂ equal to 901 MHZ, to an ASK signal, the aliasing rate of the control signal 2006 should be substantially equal to: (900 MHZ−0 MHZ)/n=900 MHZ/n, or (901 MHZ−0 MHZ)/n=901 MHZ/n. For the former case of 900 MHZ/n, and for n=0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., the frequency of the control signal 2006 should be substantially equal to 1.8 GHz, 900 MHZ, 450 MHZ, 300 MHZ, 225 MHZ, etc. For the latter case of 901 MHZ/n, and for n=0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., the frequency of the control signal 2006 should be substantially equal to 1.802 GHz, 901 MHZ, 450.5 MHZ, 300.333 MHZ, 225.25 MHZ, etc. The frequency of the down-converted AM signal is substantially equal to the difference between the lower frequency F₁ and the upper frequency F₂ (i.e., 1 MHZ).

Exemplary time domain and frequency domain drawings, illustrating down-conversion of FM signals to non-FM signals, and exemplary methods and systems thereof, are disclosed in the co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “Method and System for Down-converting Electromagnetic Signals,” Ser. No. 09/176,022.

In an embodiment, the pulses of the control signal 2006 have negligible apertures that tend towards zero. This makes the UFT module 2002 a high input impedance device. This configuration is useful for situations where minimal disturbance of the input signal may be desired.

In another embodiment, the pulses of the control signal 2006 have non-negligible apertures that tend away from zero. This makes the UFT module 2002 a lower input impedance device. This allows the lower input impedance of the UFT module 2002 to be substantially matched with a source impedance of the input signal 2004. This also improves the energy transfer from the input signal 2004 to the down-converted output signal 2012, and hence the efficiency and signal to noise (s/n) ratio of UFT module 2002.

Exemplary systems and methods for generating and optimizing the control signal 2006, and for otherwise improving energy transfer and s/n ratio, are disclosed in the co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “Method and System for Down-converting Electromagnetic Signals,” Ser. No. 09/176,022.

When the pulses of the control signal 2006 have non-negligible apertures, the aliasing module 2000 is referred to interchangeably herein as an energy transfer module or a gated transfer module, and the control signal 2006 is referred to as an energy transfer signal. Exemplary systems and methods for generating and optimizing the control signal 2006 and for otherwise improving energy transfer and/or signal to noise ratio in an energy transfer module are described below.

3.1. Optical Energy Transfer Signal Module

FIG. 47 illustrates an energy transfer system 4701 that includes an optional energy transfer signal module 4702, which can perform any of a variety of functions or combinations of functions including, but not limited to, generating the energy transfer signal 4106.

In an embodiment, the optional energy transfer signal module 4702 includes an aperture generator, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 44 as an aperture generator 4420. The aperture generator 4420 generates non-negligible aperture pulses 4326 from an input signal 4324. The input signal 4324 can be any type of periodic signal, including, but not limited to, a sinusoid, a square wave, a saw-tooth wave, etc. Systems for generating the input signal 4324 are described below.

The width or aperture of the pulses 4326 is determined by delay through the branch 4322 of the aperture generator 4420. Generally, as the desired pulse width increases, the difficulty in meeting the requirements of the aperture generator 4420 decrease. In other words, to generate non-negligible aperture pulses for a given EM input frequency, the components utilized in the example aperture generator 4420 do not require as fast reaction times as those that are required in an under-sampling system operating with the same EM input frequency.

The example logic and implementation shown in the aperture generator 4420 are provided for illustrative purposes only, and are not limiting. The actual logic employed can take many forms. The example aperture generator 4420 includes an optional inverter 4428, which is shown for polarity consistency with other examples provided herein.

An example implementation of the aperture generator 4420 is illustrated in FIG. 45. Additional examples of aperture generation logic are provided in FIGS. 43A and 43B. FIG. 43A illustrates a rising edge pulse generator 4340, which generates pulses 4326 on rising edges of the input signal 4324. FIG. 43B illustrates a falling edge pulse generator 4350, which generates pulses 4326 on falling edges of the input signal 4324.

In an embodiment, the input signal 4324 is generated externally of the energy transfer signal module 4702, as illustrated in FIG. 47. Alternatively, the input signal 4724 is generated internally by the energy transfer signal module 4702. The input signal 4324 can be generated by an oscillator, as illustrated in FIG. 46 by an oscillator 4630. The oscillator 4630 can be internal to the energy transfer signal module 4702 or external to the energy transfer signal module 4702. The oscillator 4630 can be external to the energy transfer system 4701. The output of the oscillator 4630 may be any periodic waveform.

The type of down-conversion performed by the energy transfer system 4701 depends upon the aliasing rate of the energy transfer signal 4106, which is determined by the frequency of the pulses 4326. The frequency of the pulses 4326 is determined by the frequency of the input signal 4324.

For example, when the frequency of the input signal 4324 is substantially equal to a harmonic or a sub-harmonic of the EM signal 3904, the EM signal 3904 is directly down-converted to baseband (e.g. when the EM signal is an AM signal or a PM signal), or converted from FM to a non-FM signal. When the frequency of the input signal 4324 is substantially equal to a harmonic or a sub-harmonic of a difference frequency, the EM signal 3904 is down-converted to an intermediate signal.

The optional energy transfer signal module 4702 can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.

3.2. Smoothing the Down-Converted Signal

Referring back to FIG. 20A, the down-converted output signal 2012 may be smoothed by filtering as desired.

3.3. Impedance Matching

The energy transfer module 2000 has input and output impedances generally defined by (1) the duty cycle of the switch module (i.e., UFT 2002), and (2) the impedance of the storage module (e.g., capacitor 2010), at the frequencies of interest (e.g. at the EM input, and intermediate/baseband frequencies).

Starting with an aperture width of approximately ½ the period of the EM signal being down-converted as a preferred embodiment, this aperture width (e.g. the “closed time”) can be decreased. As the aperture width is decreased, the characteristic impedance at the input and the output of the energy transfer module increases. Alternatively, as the aperture width increases from ½ the period of the EM signal being down-converted, the impedance of the energy transfer module decreases.

One of the steps in determining the characteristic input impedance of the energy transfer module could be to measure its value. In an embodiment, the energy transfer module's characteristic input impedance is 300 ohms. An impedance matching circuit can be utilized to efficiently couple an input EM signal that has a source impedance of, for example, 50 ohms, with the energy transfer module's impedance of, for example, 300 ohms. Matching these impedances can be accomplished in various manners, including providing the necessary impedance directly or the use of an impedance match circuit as described below.

Referring to FIG. 48, a specific embodiment using an RF signal as an input, assuming that the impedance 4812 is a relatively low impedance of approximately 50 Ohms, for example, and the input impedance 4816 is approximately 300 Ohms, an initial configuration for the input impedance match module 4806 can include an inductor 5006 and a capacitor 5008, configured as shown in FIG. 50. The configuration of the inductor 5006 and the capacitor 5008 is a possible configuration when going from a low impedance to a high impedance. Inductor 5006 and the capacitor 5008 constitute an L match, the calculation of the values which is well known to those skilled in the relevant arts.

The output characteristic impedance can be impedance matched to take into consideration the desired output frequencies. One of the steps in determining the characteristic output impedance of the energy transfer module could be to measure its value. Balancing the very low impedance of the storage module at the input EM frequency, the storage module should have an impedance at the desired output frequencies that is preferably greater than or equal to the load that is intended to be driven (for example, in an embodiment, storage module impedance at a desired 1 MHz output frequency is 2K ohm and the desired load to be driven is 50 ohms). An additional benefit of impedance matching is that filtering of unwanted signals can also be accomplished with the same components.

In an embodiment, the energy transfer module's characteristic output impedance is 2K ohms. An impedance matching circuit can be utilized to efficiently couple the down-converted signal with an output impedance of, for example, 2K ohms, to a load of, for example, 50 ohms. Matching these impedances can be accomplished in various manners, including providing the necessary load impedance directly or the use of an impedance match circuit as described below.

When matching from a high impedance to a low impedance, a capacitor 5014 and an inductor 5016 can be configured as shown in FIG. 50. The capacitor 5014 and the inductor 5016 constitute an L match, the calculation of the component values being well known to those skilled in the relevant arts.

The configuration of the input impedance match module 4806 and the output impedance match module 4808 are considered to be initial starting points for impedance matching, in accordance with the present invention. In some situations, the initial designs may be suitable without further optimization. In other situations, the initial designs can be optimized in accordance with other various design criteria and considerations.

As other optional optimizing structures and/or components are utilized, their affect on the characteristic impedance of the energy transfer module should be taken into account in the match along with their own original criteria.

3.4. Tanks and Resonant Structures

Resonant tank and other resonant structures can be used to further optimize the energy transfer characteristics of the invention. For example, resonant structures, resonant about the input frequency, can be used to store energy from the input signal when the switch is open, a period during which one may conclude that the architecture would otherwise be limited in its maximum possible efficiency. Resonant tank and other resonant structures can include, but are not limited to, surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters, dielectric resonators, diplexers, capacitors, inductors, etc.

An example embodiment is shown in FIG. 60A. Two additional embodiments are shown in FIG. 55 and FIG. 63. Alternate implementations will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Alternate implementations fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention. These implementations take advantage of properties of series and parallel (tank) resonant circuits.

FIG. 60A illustrates parallel tank circuits in a differential implementation. A first parallel resonant or tank circuit consists of a capacitor 6038 and an inductor 6020 (tank1). A second tank circuit consists of a capacitor 6034 and an inductor 6036 (tank2).

As is apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s), parallel tank circuits provide:

-   -   low impedance to frequencies below resonance;     -   low impedance to frequencies above resonance; and     -   high impedance to frequencies at and near resonance.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 60A, the first and second tank circuits resonate at approximately 920 MHz. At and near resonance, the impedance of these circuits is relatively high. Therefore, in the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 60A, both tank circuits appear as relatively high impedance to the input frequency of 950 MHz, while simultaneously appearing as relatively low impedance to frequencies in the desired output range of 50 MHz.

An energy transfer signal 6042 controls a switch 6014. When the energy transfer signal 6042 controls the switch 6014 to open and close, high frequency signal components are not allowed to pass through tank1 or tank2. However, the lower signal components (50 Mhz in this embodiment) generated by the system are allowed to pass through tank1 and tank2 with little attenuation. The effect of tank1 and tank2 is to further separate the input and output signals from the same node thereby producing a more stable input and output impedance. Capacitors 6018 and 6040 act to store the 50 MHz output signal energy between energy transfer pulses.

Further energy transfer optimization is provided by placing an inductor 6010 in series with a storage capacitor 6012 as shown. In the illustrated example, the series resonant frequency of this circuit arrangement is approximately 1 GHz. This circuit increases the energy transfer characteristic of the system. The ratio of the impedance of inductor 6010 and the impedance of the storage capacitor 6012 is preferably kept relatively small so that the majority of the energy available will be transferred to storage capacitor 6012 during operation. Exemplary output signals A and B are illustrated in FIGS. 60B and 60C, respectively.

In FIG. 60A, circuit components 6004 and 6006 form an input impedance match. Circuit components 6032 and 6030 form an output impedance match into a 50 ohm resistor 6028. Circuit components 6022 and 6024 form a second output impedance match into a 50 ohm resistor 6026. Capacitors 6008 and 6012 act as storage capacitors for the embodiment. Voltage source 6046 and resistor 6002 generate a 950 MHz signal with a 50 ohm output impedance, which are used as the input to the circuit. Circuit element 6016 includes a 150 MHz oscillator and a pulse generator, which are used to generate the energy transfer signal 6042.

FIG. 55 illustrates a shunt tank circuit 5510 in a single-ended to-single-ended system 5512. Similarly, FIG. 63 illustrates a shunt tank circuit 6310 in a system 6312. The tank circuits 5510 and 6310 lower driving source impedance, which improves transient response. The tank circuits 5510 and 6310 are able store the energy from the input signal and provide a low driving source impedance to transfer that energy throughout the aperture of the closed switch. The transient nature of the switch aperture can be viewed as having a response that, in addition to including the input frequency, has large component frequencies above the input frequency, (i.e. higher frequencies than the input frequency are also able to effectively pass through the aperture). Resonant circuits or structures, for example resonant tanks 5510 or 6310, can take advantage of this by being able to transfer energy throughout the switch's transient frequency response (i.e. the capacitor in the resonant tank appears as a low driving source impedance during the transient period of the aperture).

The example tank and resonant structures described above are for illustrative purposes and are not limiting. Alternate configurations can be utilized. The various resonant tanks and structures discussed can be combined or utilized independently as is now apparent.

3.5. Charge and Power Transfer Concepts

Concepts of charge transfer are now described with reference to FIGS. 71A-F. FIG. 71A illustrates a circuit 7102, including a switch S and a capacitor 7106 having a capacitance C. The switch S is controlled by a control signal 7108, which includes pulses 7110 having apertures T.

In FIG. 71B, Equation 2 illustrates that the charge q on a capacitor having a capacitance C, such as the capacitor 7106, is proportional to the voltage V across the capacitor, where:

-   -   q=Charge in Coulombs     -   C=Capacitance in Farads     -   V=Voltage in Volts     -   A=Input Signal Amplitude

Where the voltage V is represented by Equation 3, Equation 2 can be rewritten as Equation 4. The change in charge Δq over time t is illustrated as in Equation 5 as Δq(t), which can be rewritten as Equation 6. Using the sum-to-product trigonometric identity of Equation 7, Equation 6 can be rewritten as Equation 8, which can be rewritten as Equation 9.

Note that the sin term in Equation 3 is a function of the aperture T only. Thus, Δq(t) is at a maximum when T is equal to an odd multiple of π(i.e., π, 3π, 5π, . . . ). Therefore, the capacitor 7106 experiences the greatest change in charge when the aperture T has a value of π or a time interval representative of 180 degrees of the input sinusoid. Conversely, when T is equal to 2π, 4π, 6π, . . . , minimal charge is transferred.

Equations 10, 11, and 12 solve for q(t) by integrating Equation 2, allowing the charge on the capacitor 7106 with respect to time to be graphed on the same axis as the input sinusoid sin(t), as illustrated in the graph of FIG. 71C. As the aperture T decreases in value or tends toward an impulse, the phase between the charge on the capacitor C or q(t) and sin(t) tend toward zero. This is illustrated in the graph of FIG. 71D, which indicates that the maximum impulse charge transfer occurs near the input voltage maxima. As this graph indicates, considerably less charge is transferred as the value of T decreases.

Power/charge relationships are illustrated in Equations 13-18 of FIG. 71E, where it is shown that power is proportional to charge, and transferred charge is inversely proportional to insertion loss.

Concepts of insertion loss are illustrated in FIG. 71F. Generally, the noise figure of a lossy passive device is numerically equal to the device insertion loss. Alternatively, the noise figure for any device cannot be less that its insertion loss. Insertion loss can be expressed by Equation 19 or 20.

From the above discussion, it is observed that as the aperture T increases, more charge is transferred from the input to the capacitor 7106, which increases power transfer from the input to the output. It has been observed that it is not necessary to accurately reproduce the input voltage at the output because relative modulated amplitude and phase information is retained in the transferred power.

3.6. Optimizing and Adjusting the Non-Negligible Aperture Width/Duration

3.6.1. Varying Input and Output Impedances

In an embodiment of the invention, the energy transfer signal (i.e., control signal 2006 in FIG. 20A), is used to vary the input impedance seen by the EM Signal 2004 and to vary the output impedance driving a load. An example of this embodiment is described below using a gated transfer module 5101 shown in FIG. 51A. The method described below is not limited to the gated transfer module 5101.

In FIG. 51A, when switch 5106 is closed, the impedance looking into circuit 5102 is substantially the impedance of a storage module, illustrated here as a storage capacitance 5108, in parallel with the impedance of a load 5112. When the switch 5106 is open, the impedance at point 5114 approaches infinity. It follows that the average impedance at point 5114 can be varied from the impedance of the storage module illustrated in parallel with the load 5112, to the highest obtainable impedance when switch 5106 is open, by varying the ratio of the time that switch 5106 is open to the time switch 5106 is closed. The switch 5106 is controlled by an energy transfer signal 5110. Thus the impedance at point 5114 can be varied by controlling the aperture width of the energy transfer signal in conjunction with the aliasing rate.

An example method of altering the energy transfer signal 5106 of FIG. 51A is now described with reference to FIG. 49A, where a circuit 4902 receives an input oscillating signal 4906 and outputs a pulse train shown as doubler output signal 4904. The circuit 4902 can be used to generate the energy transfer signal 5106. Example waveforms of 4904 are shown on FIG. 49C.

It can be shown that by varying the delay of the signal propagated by the inverter 4908, the width of the pulses in the doubler output signal 4904 can be varied. Increasing the delay of the signal propagated by inverter 4908, increases the width of the pulses. The signal propagated by inverter 4908 can be delayed by introducing a R/C low pass network in the output of inverter 4908. Other means of altering the delay of the signal propagated by inverter 4908 will be well known to those skilled in the art.

3.6.2. Real Time Aperture Control

In an embodiment, the aperture width/duration is adjusted in real time. For example, referring to the timing diagrams in FIGS. 64B-F, a clock signal 6414 (FIG. 64B) is utilized to generate an energy transfer signal 6416 (FIG. 64F), which includes energy transfer pluses 6418, having variable apertures 6420. In an embodiment, the clock signal 6414 is inverted as illustrated by inverted clock signal 6422 (FIG. 64D). The clock signal 6414 is also delayed, as illustrated by delayed clock signal 6424 (FIG. 64E). The inverted clock signal 6414 and the delayed clock signal 6424 are then ANDed together, generating an energy transfer signal 6416, which is active—energy transfer pulses 6418—when the delayed clock signal 6424 and the inverted clock signal 6422 are both active. The amount of delay imparted to the delayed clock signal 6424 substantially determines the width or duration of the apertures 6420. By varying the delay in real time, the apertures are adjusted in real time.

In an alternative implementation, the inverted clock signal 6422 is delayed relative to the original clock signal 6414, and then ANDed with the original clock signal 6414. Alternatively, the original clock signal 6414 is delayed then inverted, and the result ANDed with the original clock signal 6414.

FIG. 64A illustrates an exemplary real time aperture control system 6402 that can be utilized to adjust apertures in real time. The example real time aperture control system 6402 includes an RC circuit 6404, which includes a voltage variable capacitor 6412 and a resistor 6426. The real time aperture control system 6402 also includes an inverter 6406 and an AND gate 6408. The AND gate 6408 optionally includes an enable input 6410 for enabling/disabling the AND gate 6408. The RC circuit 6404. The real time aperture control system 6402 optionally includes an amplifier 6428.

Operation of the real time aperture control circuit is described with reference to the timing diagrams of FIGS. 64B-F. The real time control system 6402 receives the input clock signal 6414, which is provided to both the inverter 6406 and to the RC circuit 6404. The inverter 6406 outputs the inverted clock signal 6422 and presents it to the AND gate 6408. The RC circuit 6404 delays the clock signal 6414 and outputs the delayed clock signal 6424. The delay is determined primarily by the capacitance of the voltage variable capacitor 6412. Generally, as the capacitance decreases, the delay decreases.

The delayed clock signal 6424 is optionally amplified by the optional amplifier 6428, before being presented to the AND gate 6408. Amplification is desired, for example, where the RC constant of the RC circuit 6404 attenuates the signal below the threshold of the AND gate 6408.

The AND gate 6408 ANDs the delayed clock signal 6424, the inverted clock signal 6422, and the optional Enable signal 6410, to generate the energy transfer signal 6416. The apertures 6420 are adjusted in real time by varying the voltage to the voltage variable capacitor 6412.

In an embodiment, the apertures 6420 are controlled to optimize power transfer. For example, in an embodiment, the apertures 6420 are controlled to maximize power transfer. Alternatively, the apertures 6420 are controlled for variable gain control (e.g. automatic gain control—AGC). In this embodiment, power transfer is reduced by reducing the apertures 6420.

As can now be readily seen from this disclosure, many of the aperture circuits presented, and others, can be modified as in circuits illustrated in FIGS. 46 H-K. Modification or selection of the aperture can be done at the design level to remain a fixed value in the circuit, or in an alternative embodiment, may be dynamically adjusted to compensate for, or address, various design goals such as receiving RF signals with enhanced efficiency that are in distinctively different bands of operation, e.g. RF signals at 900 MHZ and 1.8 GHz.

3.7. Adding a Bypass Network

In an embodiment of the invention, a bypass network is added to improve the efficiency of the energy transfer module. Such a bypass network can be viewed as a means of synthetic aperture widening. Components for a bypass network are selected so that the bypass network appears substantially lower impedance to transients of the switch module (i.e., frequencies greater than the received EM signal) and appears as a moderate to high impedance to the input EM signal (e.g., greater that 100 Ohms at the RF frequency).

The time that the input signal is now connected to the opposite side of the switch module is lengthened due to the shaping caused by this network, which in simple realizations may be a capacitor or series resonant inductor-capacitor. A network that is series resonant above the input frequency would be a typical implementation. This shaping improves the conversion efficiency of an input signal that would otherwise, if one considered the aperture of the energy transfer signal only, be relatively low in frequency to be optimal.

For example, referring to FIG. 61 a bypass network 6102 (shown in this instance as capacitor 6112), is shown bypassing switch module 6104. In this embodiment the bypass network increases the efficiency of the energy transfer module when, for example, less than optimal aperture widths were chosen for a given input frequency on the energy transfer signal 6106. The bypass network 6102 could be of different configurations than shown in FIG. 61. Such an alternate is illustrated in FIG. 57. Similarly, FIG. 62 illustrates another example bypass network 6202, including a capacitor 6204.

The following discussion will demonstrate the effects of a minimized aperture and the benefit provided by a bypassing network. Beginning with an initial circuit having a 550 ps aperture in FIG. 65, its output is seen to be 2.8 mVpp applied to a 50 ohm load in FIG. 69A. Changing the aperture to 270 ps as shown in FIG. 66 results in a diminished output of 2.5 Vpp applied to a 50 ohm load as shown in FIG. 69B. To compensate for this loss, a bypass network may be added, a specific implementation is provided in FIG. 67. The result of this addition is that 3.2 Vpp can now be applied to the 50 ohm load as shown in FIG. 70A. The circuit with the bypass network in FIG. 67 also had three values adjusted in the surrounding circuit to compensate for the impedance changes introduced by the bypass network and narrowed aperture. FIG. 68 verifies that those changes added to the circuit, but without the bypass network, did not themselves bring about the increased efficiency demonstrated by the embodiment in FIG. 67 with the bypass network. FIG. 70B shows the result of using the circuit in FIG. 68 in which only 1.88 Vpp was able to be applied to a 50 ohm load.

3.8. Modifying the Energy Transfer Signal Utilizing Feedback

FIG. 47 shows an embodiment of a system 4701 which uses down-converted Signal 4708B as feedback 4706 to control various characteristics of the energy transfer module 4704 to modify the down-converted signal 4708B.

Generally, the amplitude of the down-converted signal 4708B varies as a function of the frequency and phase differences between the EM signal 3904 and the energy transfer signal 4106. In an embodiment, the down-converted signal 4708B is used as the feedback 4706 to control the frequency and phase relationship between the EM signal 3904 and the energy transfer signal 4106. This can be accomplished using the example logic in FIG. 52A. The example circuit in FIG. 52A can be included in the energy transfer signal module 4702. Alternate implementations will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Alternate implementations fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention. In this embodiment a state-machine is used as an example.

In the example of FIG. 52A, a state machine 5204 reads an analog to digital converter, A/D 5202, and controls a digital to analog converter, DAC 5206. In an embodiment, the state machine 5204 includes 2 memory locations, Previous and Current, to store and recall the results of reading A/D 5202. In an embodiment, the state machine 5204 utilizes at least one memory flag.

The DAC 5206 controls an input to a voltage controlled oscillator, VCO 5208. VCO 5208 controls a frequency input of a pulse generator 5210, which, in an embodiment, is substantially similar to the pulse generator shown in FIG. 44. The pulse generator 5210 generates energy transfer signal 4106.

In an embodiment, the state machine 5204 operates in accordance with a state machine flowchart 5219 in FIG. 52B. The result of this operation is to modify the frequency and phase relationship between the energy transfer signal 4106 and the EM signal 3904, to substantially maintain the amplitude of the down-converted signal 4708B at an optimum level.

The amplitude of the down-converted signal 4708B can be made to vary with the amplitude of the energy transfer signal 4106. In an embodiment where the switch module 6502 is a FET as shown in FIG. 38, wherein the gate 3918 receives the energy transfer signal 4106, the amplitude of the energy transfer signal 4106 can determine the “on” resistance of the FET, which affects the amplitude of the down-converted signal 4708B. The energy transfer signal module 4702, as shown in FIG. 52C, can be an analog circuit that enables an automatic gain control function. Alternate implementations will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Alternate implementations fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

3.9. Other Implementations

The implementations described above are provided for purposes of illustration. These implementations are not intended to limit the invention. Alternate implementations, differing slightly or substantially from those described herein, will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such alternate implementations fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

3.10. Example Energy Transfer Down-Converters

Example implementations are described below for illustrative purposes. The invention is not limited to these examples.

FIG. 53 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary circuit to down convert a 915 MHZ signal to a 5 MHZ signal using a 101.1 MHZ clock.

FIG. 54 shows example simulation waveforms for the circuit of FIG. 53. Waveform 5302 is the input to the circuit showing the distortions caused by the switch closure. Waveform 5304 is the unfiltered output at the storage unit. Waveform 5306 is the impedance matched output of the down-converter on a different time scale.

FIG. 55 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary circuit to down-convert a 915 MHZ signal to a 5 MHZ signal using a 101.1 MHZ clock. The circuit has additional tank circuitry to improve conversion efficiency.

FIG. 56 shows example simulation waveforms for the circuit of FIG. 55. Waveform 5502 is the input to the circuit showing the distortions caused by the switch closure. Waveform 5504 is the unfiltered output at the storage unit. Waveform 5506 is the output of the down-converter after the impedance match circuit.

FIG. 57 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary circuit to down-convert a 915 MHZ signal to a 5 MHZ signal using a 101.1 MHZ clock. The circuit has switch bypass circuitry to improve conversion efficiency.

FIG. 58 shows example simulation waveforms for the circuit of FIG. 57. Waveform 5702 is the input to the circuit showing the distortions caused by the switch closure. Waveform 5704 is the unfiltered output at the storage unit. Waveform 5706 is the output of the down-converter after the impedance match circuit.

FIG. 59 shows a schematic of the example circuit in FIG. 53 connected to an FSK source that alternates between 913 and 917 MHZ, at a baud rate of 500 Kbaud. FIG. 72 shows the original FSK waveform 5902 and the down-converted waveform 5904 at the output of the load impedance match circuit.

4. FREQUENCY UP-CONVERSION

The present invention is directed to systems and methods of frequency up-conversion, and applications of same.

An example frequency up-conversion system 300 is illustrated in FIG. 3. The frequency up-conversion system 300 is now described.

An input signal 302 (designated as “Control Signal” in FIG. 3) is accepted by a switch module 304. For purposes of example only, assume that the input signal 302 is a FM input signal 606, an example of which is shown in FIG. 6C. FM input signal 606 may have been generated by modulating information signal 602 onto oscillating signal 604 (FIGS. 6A and 6B). It should be understood that the invention is not limited to this embodiment. The information signal 602 can be analog, digital, or any combination thereof, and any modulation scheme can be used.

The output of switch module 304 is a harmonically rich signal 306, shown for example in FIG. 6D as a harmonically rich signal 608. The harmonically rich signal 608 has a continuous and periodic waveform.

FIG. 6E is an expanded view of two sections of harmonically rich signal 608, section 610 and section 612. The harmonically rich signal 608 may be a rectangular wave, such as a square wave or a pulse (although, the invention is not limited to this embodiment). For ease of discussion, the term “rectangular waveform” is used to refer to waveforms that are substantially rectangular. In a similar manner, the term “square wave” refers to those waveforms that are substantially square and it is not the intent of the present invention that a perfect square wave be generated or needed.

Harmonically rich signal 608 is comprised of a plurality of sinusoidal waves whose frequencies are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the waveform of the harmonically rich signal 608. These sinusoidal waves are referred to as the harmonics of the underlying waveform, and the fundamental frequency is referred to as the first harmonic. FIG. 6F and FIG. 6G show separately the sinusoidal components making up the first, third, and fifth harmonics of section 610 and section 612. (Note that in theory there may be an infinite number of harmonics; in this example, because harmonically rich signal 608 is shown as a square wave, there are only odd harmonics). Three harmonics are shown simultaneously (but not summed) in FIG. 6H.

The relative amplitudes of the harmonics are generally a function of the relative widths of the pulses of harmonically rich signal 306 and the period of the fundamental frequency, and can be determined by doing a Fourier analysis of harmonically rich signal 306. According to an embodiment of the invention, the input signal 606 may be shaped to ensure that the amplitude of the desired harmonic is sufficient for its intended use (e.g., transmission).

A filter 308 filters out any undesired frequencies (harmonics), and outputs an electromagnetic (EM) signal at the desired harmonic frequency or frequencies as an output signal 310, shown for example as a filtered output signal 614 in FIG. 61.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example universal frequency up-conversion (UFU) module 401. The UFU module 401 includes an example switch module 304, which comprises a bias signal 402, a resistor or impedance 404, a universal frequency translator (UFT) 450, and a ground 408. The UFT 450 includes a switch 406. The input signal 302 (designated as “Control Signal” in FIG. 4) controls the switch 406 in the UFT 450, and causes it to close and open. Harmonically rich signal 306 is generated at a node 405 located between the resistor or impedance 404 and the switch 406.

Also in FIG. 4, it can be seen that an example filter 308 is comprised of a capacitor 410 and an inductor 412 shunted to a ground 414. The filter is designed to filter out the undesired harmonics of harmonically rich signal 306.

The invention is not limited to the UFU embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

For example, in an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 5, an unshaped input signal 501 is routed to a pulse shaping module 502. The pulse shaping module 502 modifies the unshaped input signal 501 to generate a (modified) input signal 302 (designated as the “Control Signal” in FIG. 5). The input signal 302 is routed to the switch module 304, which operates in the manner described above. Also, the filter 308 of FIG. 5 operates in the manner described above.

The purpose of the pulse shaping module 502 is to define the pulse width of the input signal 302. Recall that the input signal 302 controls the opening and closing of the switch 406 in switch module 304. During such operation, the pulse width of the input signal 302 establishes the pulse width of the harmonically rich signal 306. As stated above, the relative amplitudes of the harmonics of the harmonically rich signal 306 are a function of at least the pulse width of the harmonically rich signal 306. As such, the pulse width of the input signal 302 contributes to setting the relative amplitudes of the harmonics of harmonically rich signal 306.

Further details of up-conversion as described in this section are presented in pending U.S. application “Method and System for Frequency Up-Conversion,” Ser. No. 09/176,154, filed Oct. 21, 1998, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

5. ENHANCED SIGNAL RECEPTION

The present invention is directed to systems and methods of enhanced signal reception (ESR), and applications of same.

Referring to FIG. 21, transmitter 2104 accepts a modulating baseband signal 2102 and generates (transmitted) redundant spectrums 2106 a-n, which are sent over communications medium 2108. Receiver 2112 recovers a demodulated baseband signal 2114 from (received) redundant spectrums 2110 a-n. Demodulated baseband signal 2114 is representative of the modulating baseband signal 2102, where the level of similarity between the modulating baseband signal 2114 and the modulating baseband signal 2102 is application dependent.

Modulating baseband signal 2102 is preferably any information signal desired for transmission and/or reception. An example modulating baseband signal 2202 is illustrated in FIG. 22A, and has an associated modulating baseband spectrum 2204 and image spectrum 2203 that are illustrated in FIG. 22B. Modulating baseband signal 2202 is illustrated as an analog signal in FIG. 22 a, but could also be a digital signal, or combination thereof. Modulating baseband signal 2202 could be a voltage (or current) characterization of any number of real world occurrences, including for example and without limitation, the voltage (or current) representation for a voice signal.

Each transmitted redundant spectrum 2106 a-n contains the necessary information to substantially reconstruct the modulating baseband signal 2102. In other words, each redundant spectrum 2106 a-n contains the necessary amplitude, phase, and frequency information to reconstruct the modulating baseband signal 2102.

FIG. 22C illustrates example transmitted redundant spectrums 2206 b-d. Transmitted redundant spectrums 2206 b-d are illustrated to contain three redundant spectrums for illustration purposes only. Any number of redundant spectrums could be generated and transmitted as will be explained in following discussions.

Transmitted redundant spectrums 2206 b-d are centered at f₁, with a frequency spacing f₂ between adjacent spectrums. Frequencies f₁ and f₂ are dynamically adjustable in real-time as will be shown below. FIG. 22D illustrates an alternate embodiment, where redundant spectrums 2208 c,d are centered on unmodulated oscillating signal 2209 at f₁ (Hz). Oscillating signal 2209 may be suppressed if desired using, for example, phasing techniques or filtering techniques. Transmitted redundant spectrums are preferably above baseband frequencies as is represented by break 2205 in the frequency axis of FIGS. 22C and 22D.

Received redundant spectrums 2110 a-n are substantially similar to transmitted redundant spectrums 2106 a-n, except for the changes introduced by the communications medium 2108. Such changes can include but are not limited to signal attenuation, and signal interference. FIG. 22E illustrates example received redundant spectrums 2210 b-d. Received redundant spectrums 2210 b-d are substantially similar to transmitted redundant spectrums 2206 b-d, except that redundant spectrum 2210 c includes an undesired jamming signal spectrum 2211 in order to illustrate some advantages of the present invention. Jamming signal spectrum 2211 is a frequency spectrum associated with a jamming signal. For purposes of this invention, a “jamming signal” refers to any unwanted signal, regardless of origin, that may interfere with the proper reception and reconstruction of an intended signal. Furthermore, the jamming signal is not limited to tones as depicted by spectrum 2211, and can have any spectral shape, as will be understood by those skilled in the art(s).

As stated above, demodulated baseband signal 2114 is extracted from one or more of received redundant spectrums 2210 b-d. FIG. 22F illustrates example demodulated baseband signal 2212 that is, in this example, substantially similar to modulating baseband signal 2202 (FIG. 22A); where in practice, the degree of similarity is application dependent.

An advantage of the present invention should now be apparent. The recovery of modulating baseband signal 2202 can be accomplished by receiver 2112 in spite of the fact that high strength jamming signal(s) (e.g. jamming signal spectrum 2211) exist on the communications medium. The intended baseband signal can be recovered because multiple redundant spectrums are transmitted, where each redundant spectrum carries the necessary information to reconstruct the baseband signal. At the destination, the redundant spectrums are isolated from each other so that the baseband signal can be recovered even if one or more of the redundant spectrums are corrupted by a jamming signal.

Transmitter 2104 will now be explored in greater detail. FIG. 23A illustrates transmitter 2301, which is one embodiment of transmitter 2104 that generates redundant spectrums configured similar to redundant spectrums 2206 b-d. Transmitter 2301 includes generator 2303, optional spectrum processing module 2304, and optional medium interface module 2320. Generator 2303 includes: first oscillator 2302, second oscillator 2309, first stage modulator 2306, and second stage modulator 2310.

Transmitter 2301 operates as follows. First oscillator 2302 and second oscillator 2309 generate a first oscillating signal 2305 and second oscillating signal 2312, respectively. First stage modulator 2306 modulates first oscillating signal 2305 with modulating baseband signal 2202, resulting in modulated signal 2308. First stage modulator 2306 may implement any type of modulation including but not limited to: amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, phase modulation, combinations thereof, or any other type of modulation. Second stage modulator 2310 modulates modulated signal 2308 with second oscillating signal 2312, resulting in multiple redundant spectrums 2206 a-n shown in FIG. 23B. Second stage modulator 2310 is preferably a phase modulator, or a frequency modulator, although other types of modulation may be implemented including but not limited to amplitude modulation. Each redundant spectrum 2206 a-n contains the necessary amplitude, phase, and frequency information to substantially reconstruct the modulating baseband signal 2202.

Redundant spectrums 2206 a-n are substantially centered around f₁, which is the characteristic frequency of first oscillating signal 2305. Also, each redundant spectrum 2206 a-n (except for 2206 c) is offset from f₁ by approximately a multiple of f₂ (Hz), where f₂ is the frequency of the second oscillating signal 2312. Thus, each redundant spectrum 2206 a-n is offset from an adjacent redundant spectrum by f₂ (Hz). This allows the spacing between adjacent redundant spectrums to be adjusted (or tuned) by changing f₂ that is associated with second oscillator 2309. Adjusting the spacing between adjacent redundant spectrums allows for dynamic real-time tuning of the bandwidth occupied by redundant spectrums 2206 a-n.

In one embodiment, the number of redundant spectrums 2206 a-n generated by transmitter 2301 is arbitrary and may be unlimited as indicated by the “a-n” designation for redundant spectrums 2206 a-n. However, a typical communications medium will have a physical and/or administrative limitations (i.e. FCC regulations) that restrict the number of redundant spectrums that can be practically transmitted over the communications medium. Also, there may be other reasons to limit the number of redundant spectrums transmitted. Therefore, preferably, the transmitter 2301 will include an optional spectrum processing module 2304 to process the redundant spectrums 2206 a-n prior to transmission over communications medium 2108.

In one embodiment, spectrum processing module 2304 includes a filter with a passband 2207 (FIG. 23C) to select redundant spectrums 2206 b-d for transmission. This will substantially limit the frequency bandwidth occupied by the redundant spectrums to the passband 2207. In one embodiment, spectrum processing module 2304 also up converts redundant spectrums and/or amplifies redundant spectrums prior to transmission over the communications medium 2108. Finally, medium interface module 2320 transmits redundant spectrums over the communications medium 2108. In one embodiment, communications medium 2108 is an over-the-air link and medium interface module 2320 is an antenna. Other embodiments for communications medium 2108 and medium interface module 2320 will be understood based on the teachings contained herein.

FIG. 23D illustrates transmitter 2321, which is one embodiment of transmitter 2104 that generates redundant spectrums configured similar to redundant spectrums 2208 c-d and unmodulated spectrum 2209. Transmitter 2321 includes generator 2311, spectrum processing module 2304, and (optional) medium interface module 2320. Generator 2311 includes: first oscillator 2302, second oscillator 2309, first stage modulator 2306, and second stage modulator 2310.

As shown in FIG. 23D, many of the components in transmitter 2321 are similar to those in transmitter 2301. However, in this embodiment, modulating baseband signal 2202 modulates second oscillating signal 2312. Transmitter 2321 operates as follows. First stage modulator 2306 modulates second oscillating signal 2312 with modulating baseband signal 2202, resulting in modulated signal 2322. As described earlier, first stage modulator 2306 can effect any type of modulation including but not limited to: amplitude modulation frequency modulation, combinations thereof, or any other type of modulation. Second stage modulator 2310 modulates first oscillating signal 2304 with modulated signal 2322, resulting in redundant spectrums 2208 a-n, as shown in FIG. 23E. Second stage modulator 2310 is preferably a phase or frequency modulator, although other modulators could used including but not limited to an amplitude modulator.

Redundant spectrums 2208 a-n are centered on unmodulated spectrum 2209 (at f₁ Hz), and adjacent spectrums are separated by f₂ Hz. The number of redundant spectrums 2208 a-n generated by generator 2311 is arbitrary and unlimited, similar to spectrums 2206 a-n discussed above. Therefore, optional spectrum processing module 2304 may also include a filter with passband 2325 to select, for example, spectrums 2208 c,d for transmission over communications medium 2108. In addition, optional spectrum processing module 2304 may also include a filter (such as a bandstop filter) to attenuate unmodulated spectrum 2209. Alternatively, unmodulated spectrum 2209 may be attenuated by using phasing techniques during redundant spectrum generation. Finally, (optional) medium interface module 2320 transmits redundant spectrums 2208 c,d over communications medium 2108.

Receiver 2112 will now be explored in greater detail to illustrate recovery of a demodulated baseband signal from received redundant spectrums. FIG. 24A illustrates receiver 2430, which is one embodiment of receiver 2112. Receiver 2430 includes optional medium interface module 2402, down-converter 2404, spectrum isolation module 2408, and data extraction module 2414. Spectrum isolation module 2408 includes filters 2410 a-c. Data extraction module 2414 includes demodulators 2416 a-c, error check modules 2420 a-c, and arbitration module 2424. Receiver 2430 will be discussed in relation to the signal diagrams in FIGS. 24B-24J.

In one embodiment, optional medium interface module 2402 receives redundant spectrums 2210 b-d (FIG. 22E, and FIG. 24B). Each redundant spectrum 2210 b-d includes the necessary amplitude, phase, and frequency information to substantially reconstruct the modulating baseband signal used to generated the redundant spectrums. However, in the present example, spectrum 2210 c also contains jamming signal 2211, which may interfere with the recovery of a baseband signal from spectrum 2210 c. Down-converter 2404 down-converts received redundant spectrums 2210 b-d to lower intermediate frequencies, resulting in redundant spectrums 2406 a-c (FIG. 24C). Jamming signal 2211 is also down-converted to jamming signal 2407, as it is contained within redundant spectrum 2406 b. Spectrum isolation module 2408 includes filters 2410 a-c that isolate redundant spectrums 2406 a-c from each other (FIGS. 24D-24F, respectively). Demodulators 2416 a-c independently demodulate spectrums 2406 a-c, resulting in demodulated baseband signals 2418 a-c, respectively (FIGS. 24G-24D). Error check modules 2420 a-c analyze demodulate baseband signal 2418 a-c to detect any errors. In one embodiment, each error check module 2420 a-c sets an error flag 2422 a-c whenever an error is detected in a demodulated baseband signal. Arbitration module 2424 accepts the demodulated baseband signals and associated error flags, and selects a substantially error-free demodulated baseband signal (FIG. 24J). In one embodiment, the substantially error-free demodulated baseband signal will be substantially similar to the modulating baseband signal used to generate the received redundant spectrums, where the degree of similarity is application dependent.

Referring to FIGS. 24G-I, arbitration module 2424 will select either demodulated baseband signal 2418 a or 2418 c, because error check module 2420 b will set the error flag 2422 b that is associated with demodulated baseband signal 2418 b.

The error detection schemes implemented by the error detection modules include but are not limited to: cyclic redundancy check (CRC) and parity check for digital signals, and various error detections schemes for analog signal.

Further details of enhanced signal reception as described in this section are presented in pending U.S. application “Method and System for Ensuring Reception of a Communications Signal,” Ser. No. 09/176,415, filed Oct. 21, 1998, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

6. UNIFIED DOWN-CONVERSION AND FILTERING

The present invention is directed to systems and methods of unified down-conversion and filtering (UDF), and applications of same.

In particular, the present invention includes a unified down-converting and filtering (UDF) module that performs frequency selectivity and frequency translation in a unified (i.e., integrated) manner. By operating in this manner, the invention achieves high frequency selectivity prior to frequency translation (the invention is not limited to this embodiment). The invention achieves high frequency selectivity at substantially any frequency, including but not limited to RF (radio frequency) and greater frequencies. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to this example of RF and greater frequencies. The invention is intended, adapted, and capable of working with lower than radio frequencies.

FIG. 17 is a conceptual block diagram of a UDF module 1702 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The UDF module 1702 performs at least frequency translation and frequency selectivity.

The effect achieved by the UDF module 1702 is to perform the frequency selectivity operation prior to the performance of the frequency translation operation. Thus, the UDF module 1702 effectively performs input filtering.

According to embodiments of the present invention, such input filtering involves a relatively narrow bandwidth. For example, such input filtering may represent channel select filtering, where the filter bandwidth may be, for example, 50 KHz to 150 KHz. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to these frequencies. The invention is intended, adapted, and capable of achieving filter bandwidths of less than and greater than these values.

In embodiments of the invention, input signals 1704 received by the UDF module 1702 are at radio frequencies. The UDF module 1702 effectively operates to input filter these RF input signals 1704. Specifically, in these embodiments, the UDF module 1702 effectively performs input, channel select filtering of the RF input signal 1704. Accordingly, the invention achieves high selectivity at high frequencies.

The UDF module 1702 effectively performs various types of filtering, including but not limited to bandpass filtering, low pass filtering, high pass filtering, notch filtering, all pass filtering, band stop filtering, etc., and combinations thereof.

Conceptually, the UDF module 1702 includes a frequency translator 1708. The frequency translator 1708 conceptually represents that portion of the UDF module 1702 that performs frequency translation (down conversion).

The UDF module 1702 also conceptually includes an apparent input filter 1706 (also sometimes called an input filtering emulator). Conceptually, the apparent input filter 1706 represents that portion of the UDF module 1702 that performs input filtering.

In practice, the input filtering operation performed by the UDF module 1702 is integrated with the frequency translation operation. The input filtering operation can be viewed as being performed concurrently with the frequency translation operation. This is a reason why the input filter 1706 is herein referred to as an “apparent” input filter 1706.

The UDF module 1702 of the present invention includes a number of advantages. For example, high selectivity at high frequencies is realizable using the UDF module 1702. This feature of the invention is evident by the high Q factors that are attainable. For example, and without limitation, the UDF module 1702 can be designed with a filter center frequency f_(C) on the order of 900 MHZ, and a filter bandwidth on the order of 50 KHz. This represents a Q of 18,000 (Q is equal to the center frequency divided by the bandwidth).

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to filters with high Q factors. The filters contemplated by the present invention may have lesser or greater Qs, depending on the application, design, and/or implementation. Also, the scope of the invention includes filters where Q factor as discussed herein is not applicable.

The invention exhibits additional advantages. For example, the filtering center frequency f_(C) of the UDF module 1702 can be electrically adjusted, either statically or dynamically.

Also, the UDF module 1702 can be designed to amplify input signals.

Further, the UDF module 1702 can be implemented without large resistors, capacitors, or inductors. Also, the UDF module 1702 does not require that tight tolerances be maintained on the values of its individual components, i.e., its resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc. As a result, the architecture of the UDF module 1702 is friendly to integrated circuit design techniques and processes.

The features and advantages exhibited by the UDF module 1702 are achieved at least in part by adopting a new technological paradigm with respect to frequency selectivity and translation. Specifically, according to the present invention, the UDF module 1702 performs the frequency selectivity operation and the frequency translation operation as a single, unified (integrated) operation. According to the invention, operations relating to frequency translation also contribute to the performance of frequency selectivity, and vice versa.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the UDF module generates an output signal from an input signal using samples/instances of the input signal and samples/instances of the output signal.

More particularly, first, the input signal is under-sampled. This input sample includes information (such as amplitude, phase, etc.) representative of the input signal existing at the time the sample was taken.

As described further below, the effect of repetitively performing this step is to translate the frequency (that is, down-convert) of the input signal to a desired lower frequency, such as an intermediate frequency (IF) or baseband.

Next, the input sample is held (that is, delayed).

Then, one or more delayed input samples (some of which may have been scaled) are combined with one or more delayed instances of the output signal (some of which may have been scaled) to generate a current instance of the output signal.

Thus, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the output signal is generated from prior samples/instances of the input signal and/or the output signal. (It is noted that, in some embodiments of the invention, current samples/instances of the input signal and/or the output signal may be used to generate current instances of the output signal.). By operating in this manner, the UDF module preferably performs input filtering and frequency down-conversion in a unified manner.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example implementation of the unified down-converting and filtering (UDF) module 1922. The UDF module 1922 performs the frequency translation operation and the frequency selectivity operation in an integrated, unified manner as described above, and as further described below.

In the example of FIG. 19, the frequency selectivity operation performed by the UDF module 1922 comprises a band-pass filtering operation according to EQ. 1, below, which is an example representation of a band-pass filtering transfer function. VO=α ₁ z ⁻¹ VI−β ₁ z ⁻¹ VO−β ₀ z ⁻² VO  EQ. 1

It should be noted, however, that the invention is not limited to band-pass filtering. Instead, the invention effectively performs various types of filtering, including but not limited to bandpass filtering, low pass filtering, high pass filtering, notch filtering, all pass filtering, band stop filtering, etc., and combinations thereof. As will be appreciated, there are many representations of any given filter type. The invention is applicable to these filter representations. Thus, EQ. 1 is referred to herein for illustrative purposes only, and is not limiting.

The UDF module 1922 includes a down-convert and delay module 1924, first and second delay modules 1928 and 1930, first and second scaling modules 1932 and 1934, an output sample and hold module 1936, and an (optional) output smoothing module 1938. Other embodiments of the UDF module will have these components in different configurations, and/or a subset of these components, and/or additional components. For example, and without limitation, in the configuration shown in FIG. 19, the output smoothing module 1938 is optional.

As further described below, in the example of FIG. 19, the down-convert and delay module 1924 and the first and second delay modules 1928 and 1930 include switches that are controlled by a clock having two phases, φ₁ and φ₂. φ₁ and φ₂ preferably have the same frequency, and are non-overlapping (alternatively, a plurality such as two clock signals having these characteristics could be used). As used herein, the term “non-overlapping” is defined as two or more signals where only one of the signals is active at any given time. In some embodiments, signals are “active” when they are high. In other embodiments, signals are active when they are low.

Preferably, each of these switches closes on a rising edge of φ₁ or φ₂, and opens on the next corresponding falling edge of φ₁ or φ₂. However, the invention is not limited to this example. As will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s), other clock conventions can be used to control the switches.

In the example of FIG. 19, it is assumed that aα₁ is equal to one. Thus, the output of the down-convert and delay module 1924 is not scaled. As evident from the embodiments described above, however, the invention is not limited to this example.

The example UDF module 1922 has a filter center frequency of 900.2 MHZ and a filter bandwidth of 570 KHz. The pass band of the UDF module 1922 is on the order of 899.915 MHZ to 900.485 MHZ. The Q factor of the UDF module 1922 is approximately 1879 (i.e., 900.2 MHZ divided by 570 KHz).

The operation of the UDF module 1922 shall now be described with reference to a Table 1802 (FIG. 18) that indicates example values at nodes in the UDF module 1922 at a number of consecutive time increments. It is assumed in Table 1802 that the UDF module 1922 begins operating at time t−1. As indicated below, the UDF module 1922 reaches steady state a few time units after operation begins. The number of time units necessary for a given UDF module to reach steady state depends on the configuration of the UDF module, and will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.

At the rising edge of φ₁ at time t−1, a switch 1950 in the down-convert and delay module 1924 closes. This allows a capacitor 1952 to charge to the current value of an input signal, VI_(t−1), such that node 1902 is at VI_(t−1). This is indicated by cell 1804 in FIG. 18. In effect, the combination of the switch 1950 and the capacitor 1952 in the down-convert and delay module 1924 operates to translate the frequency of the input signal VI to a desired lower frequency, such as IF or baseband. Thus, the value stored in the capacitor 1952 represents an instance of a down-converted image of the input signal VI.

The manner in which the down-convert and delay module 1924 performs frequency down-conversion is further described elsewhere in this application, and is additionally described in pending U.S. application “Method and System for Down-Converting Electromagnetic Signals,” Ser. No. 09/176,022, filed Oct. 21, 1998, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Also at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t−1, a switch 1958 in the first delay module 1928 closes, allowing a capacitor 1960 to charge to VO_(t−1), such that node 1906 is at VO_(t−1). This is indicated by cell 1806 in Table 1802. (In practice, VO_(t−1) is undefined at this point. However, for ease of understanding, VO_(t−1) shall continue to be used for purposes of explanation.)

Also at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t−1, a switch 1966 in the second delay module 1930 closes, allowing a capacitor 1968 to charge to a value stored in a capacitor 1964. At this time, however, the value in capacitor 1964 is undefined, so the value in capacitor 1968 is undefined. This is indicated by cell 1807 in table 1802.

At the rising edge of φ₂ at time t−1, a switch 1954 in the down-convert and delay module 1924 closes, allowing a capacitor 1956 to charge to the level of the capacitor 1952. Accordingly, the capacitor 1956 charges to VI_(t−1), such that node 1904 is at VI_(t−1). This is indicated by cell 1810 in Table 1802.

The UDF module 1922 may optionally include a unity gain module 1990A between capacitors 1952 and 1956. The unity gain module 1990A operates as a current source to enable capacitor 1956 to charge without draining the charge from capacitor 1952. For a similar reason, the UDF module 1922 may include other unity gain modules 1990B-1990G. It should be understood that, for many embodiments and applications of the invention, these unity gain modules 1990A-1990G are optional. The structure and operation of the unity gain modules 1990 will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).

Also at the rising edge of φ₂ at time t−1, a switch 1962 in the first delay module 1928 closes, allowing a capacitor 1964 to charge to the level of the capacitor 1960. Accordingly, the capacitor 1964 charges to VO_(t−1), such that node 1908 is at VO_(t−1). This is indicated by cell 1814 in Table 1802.

Also at the rising edge of φ₂ at time t−1, a switch 1970 in the second delay module 1930 closes, allowing a capacitor 1972 to charge to a value stored in a capacitor 1968. At this time, however, the value in capacitor 1968 is undefined, so the value in capacitor 1972 is undefined. This is indicated by cell 1815 in table 1802.

At time t, at the rising edge of φ₁, the switch 1950 in the down-convert and delay module 1924 closes. This allows the capacitor 1952 to charge to VI_(t), such that node 1902 is at VI_(t). This is indicated in cell 1816 of Table 1802.

Also at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t, the switch 1958 in the first delay module 1928 closes, thereby allowing the capacitor 1960 to charge to VO_(t). Accordingly, node 1906 is at VO_(t). This is indicated in cell 1820 in Table 1802.

Further at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t, the switch 1966 in the second delay module 1930 closes, allowing a capacitor 1968 to charge to the level of the capacitor 1964. Therefore, the capacitor 1968 charges to VO_(t−1), such that node 1910 is at VO_(t−1). This is indicated by cell 1824 in Table 1802.

At the rising edge of φ₂ at time t, the switch 1954 in the down-convert and delay module 1924 closes, allowing the capacitor 1956 to charge to the level of the capacitor 1952. Accordingly, the capacitor 1956 charges to VI_(t), such that node 1904 is at VI_(t). This is indicated by cell 1828 in Table 1802.

Also at the rising edge of φ₂ at time t, the switch 1962 in the first delay module 1928 closes, allowing the capacitor 1964 to charge to the level in the capacitor 1960. Therefore, the capacitor 1964 charges to VO_(t), such that node 1908 is at VO_(t). This is indicated by cell 1832 in Table 1802.

Further at the rising edge of φ₂ at time t, the switch 1970 in the second delay module 1930 closes, allowing the capacitor 1972 in the second delay module 1930 to charge to the level of the capacitor 1968 in the second delay module 1930. Therefore, the capacitor 1972 charges to VO_(t−1), such that node 1912 is at VO_(t−1). This is indicated in cell 1836 of FIG. 18.

At time t+1, at the rising edge of φ₁, the switch 1950 in the down-convert and delay module 1924 closes, allowing the capacitor 1952 to charge to VI_(t+1). Therefore, node 1902 is at VI_(t+1), as indicated by cell 1838 of Table 1802.

Also at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t+1, the switch 1958 in the first delay module 1928 closes, allowing the capacitor 1960 to charge to VO_(t+1). Accordingly, node 1906 is at VO_(t+1), as indicated by cell 1842 in Table 1802.

Further at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t+1, the switch 1966 in the second delay module 1930 closes, allowing the capacitor 1968 to charge to the level of the capacitor 1964. Accordingly, the capacitor 1968 charges to VO_(t), as indicated by cell 1846 of Table 1802.

In the example of FIG. 19, the first scaling module 1932 scales the value at node 1908 (i.e., the output of the first delay module 1928) by a scaling factor of −0.1. Accordingly, the value present at node 1914 at time t+1 is −0.1*VO_(t). Similarly, the second scaling module 1934 scales the value present at node 1912 (i.e., the output of the second scaling module 1930) by a scaling factor of −0.8. Accordingly, the value present at node 1916 is −0.8*VO_(t−1) at time t+1.

At time t+1, the values at the inputs of the summer 1926 are: VI_(t) at node 1904, −0.1*VO_(t) at node 1914, and −0.8*VO_(t−1) at node 1916 (in the example of FIG. 19, the values at nodes 1914 and 1916 are summed by a second summer 1925, and this sum is presented to the summer 1926). Accordingly, at time t+1, the summer generates a signal equal to VI_(t)−0.1*VO_(t)−0.8*VO_(t−1).

At the rising edge of φ₁ at time t+1, a switch 1991 in the output sample and hold module 1936 closes, thereby allowing a capacitor 1992 to charge to VO_(t+1). Accordingly, the capacitor 1992 charges to VO_(t+1), which is equal to the sum generated by the adder 1926. As just noted, this value is equal to: VI_(t)−0.1*VO_(t)−0.8*VO_(t−1). This is indicated in cell 1850 of Table 1802. This value is presented to the optional output smoothing module 1938, which smooths the signal to thereby generate the instance of the output signal VO_(t+1). It is apparent from inspection that this value of VO_(t+1) is consistent with the band pass filter transfer function of EQ. 1.

Further details of unified down-conversion and filtering as described in this section are presented in U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,706, entitled “Integrated Frequency Translation And Selectivity,” filed Oct. 21, 1998, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

7. EXAMPLE APPLICATION EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As noted above, the UFT module of the present invention is a very powerful and flexible device. Its flexibility is illustrated, in part, by the wide range of applications in which it can be used. Its power is illustrated, in part, by the usefulness and performance of such applications.

Example applications of the UFT module were described above. In particular, frequency down-conversion, frequency up-conversion, enhanced signal reception, and unified down-conversion and filtering applications of the UFT module were summarized above, and are further described below. These applications of the UFT module are discussed herein for illustrative purposes. The invention is not limited to these example applications. Additional applications of the UFT module will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s), based on the teachings contained herein.

For example, the present invention can be used in applications that involve frequency down-conversion. This is shown in FIG. 1C, for example, where an example UFT module 115 is used in a down-conversion module 114. In this capacity, the UFT module 115 frequency down-converts an input signal to an output signal. This is also shown in FIG. 7, for example, where an example UFT module 706 is part of a down-conversion module 704, which is part of a receiver 702.

The present invention can be used in applications that involve frequency up-conversion. This is shown in FIG. 1D, for example, where an example UFT module 117 is used in a frequency up-conversion module 116. In this capacity, the UFT module 117 frequency up-converts an input signal to an output signal. This is also shown in FIG. 8, for example, where an example UFT module 806 is part of up-conversion module 804, which is part of a transmitter 802.

The present invention can be used in environments having one or more transmitters 902 and one or more receivers 906, as illustrated in FIG. 9. In such environments, one or more of the transmitters 902 may be implemented using a UFT module, as shown for example in FIG. 8. Also, one or more of the receivers 906 may be implemented using a UFT module, as shown for example in FIG. 7.

The invention can be used to implement a transceiver. An example transceiver 1002 is illustrated in FIG. 10. The transceiver 1002 includes a transmitter 1004 and a receiver 1008. Either the transmitter 1004 or the receiver 1008 can be implemented using a UFT module. Alternatively, the transmitter 1004 can be implemented using a UFT module 1006, and the receiver 1008 can be implemented using a UFT module 1010. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 10.

Another transceiver embodiment according to the invention is shown in FIG. 11. In this transceiver 1102, the transmitter 1104 and the receiver 1108 are implemented using a single UFT module 1106. In other words, the transmitter 1104 and the receiver 1108 share a UFT module 1106.

As described elsewhere in this application, the invention is directed to methods and systems for enhanced signal reception (ESR). Various ESR embodiments include an ESR module (transmit) in a transmitter 1202, and an ESR module (receive) in a receiver 1210. An example ESR embodiment configured in this manner is illustrated in FIG. 12.

The ESR module (transmit) 1204 includes a frequency up-conversion module 1206. Some embodiments of this frequency up-conversion module 1206 may be implemented using a UFT module, such as that shown in FIG. 1D.

The ESR module (receive) 1212 includes a frequency down-conversion module 1214. Some embodiments of this frequency down-conversion module 1214 may be implemented using a UFT module, such as that shown in FIG. 1C.

As described elsewhere in this application, the invention is directed to methods and systems for unified down-conversion and filtering (UDF). An example unified down-conversion and filtering module 1302 is illustrated in FIG. 13. The unified down-conversion and filtering module 1302 includes a frequency down-conversion module 1304 and a filtering module 1306. According to the invention, the frequency down-conversion module 1304 and the filtering module 1306 are implemented using a UFT module 1308, as indicated in FIG. 13.

Unified down-conversion and filtering according to the invention is useful in applications involving filtering and/or frequency down-conversion. This is depicted, for example, in FIGS. 15A-15F. FIGS. 15A-15C indicate that unified down-conversion and filtering according to the invention is useful in applications where filtering precedes, follows, or both precedes and follows frequency down-conversion. FIG. 15D indicates that a unified down-conversion and filtering module 1524 according to the invention can be utilized as a filter 1522 (i.e., where the extent of frequency down-conversion by the down-converter in the unified down-conversion and filtering module 1524 is minimized). FIG. 15E indicates that a unified down-conversion and filtering module 1528 according to the invention can be utilized as a down-converter 1526 (i.e., where the filter in the unified down-conversion and filtering module 1528 passes substantially all frequencies). FIG. 15F illustrates that the unified down-conversion and filtering module 1532 can be used as an amplifier. It is noted that one or more UDF modules can be used in applications that involve at least one or more of filtering, frequency translation, and amplification.

For example, receivers, which typically perform filtering, down-conversion, and filtering operations, can be implemented using one or more unified down-conversion and filtering modules. This is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 14.

The methods and systems of unified down-conversion and filtering of the invention have many other applications. For example, as discussed herein, the enhanced signal reception (ESR) module (receive) operates to down-convert a signal containing a plurality of spectrums. The ESR module (receive) also operates to isolate the spectrums in the down-converted signal, where such isolation is implemented via filtering in some embodiments. According to embodiments of the invention, the ESR module (receive) is implemented using one or more unified down-conversion and filtering (UDF) modules. This is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 16. In the example of FIG. 16, one or more of the UDF modules 1610, 1612, 1614 operates to down-convert a received signal. The UDF modules 1610, 1612, 1614 also operate to filter the down-converted signal so as to isolate the spectrum(s) contained therein. As noted above, the UDF modules 1610, 1612, 1614 are implemented using the universal frequency translation (UFT) modules of the invention.

The invention is not limited to the applications of the UFT module described above. For example, and without limitation, subsets of the applications (methods and/or structures) described herein (and others that would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the herein teachings) can be associated to form useful combinations.

For example, transmitters and receivers are two applications of the UFT module. FIG. 10 illustrates a transceiver 1002 that is formed by combining these two applications of the UFT module, i.e., by combining a transmitter 1004 with a receiver 1008.

Also, ESR (enhanced signal reception) and unified down-conversion and filtering are two other applications of the UFT module. FIG. 16 illustrates an example where ESR and unified down-conversion and filtering are combined to form a modified enhanced signal reception system.

The invention is not limited to the example applications of the UFT module discussed herein. Also, the invention is not limited to the example combinations of applications of the UFT module discussed herein. These examples were provided for illustrative purposes only, and are not limiting. Other applications and combinations of such applications will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such applications and combinations include, for example and without limitation, applications/combinations comprising and/or involving one or more of: (1) frequency translation; (2) frequency down-conversion; (3) frequency up-conversion; (4) receiving; (5) transmitting; (6) filtering; and/or (7) signal transmission and reception in environments containing potentially jamming signals.

8. OPTICAL TO ELECTRICAL CONVERSION

In an embodiment, the present invention is utilized to convert optical signals to electrical signals, including demodulated baseband electrical information signals and modulated electric signals.

8.1. System for Converting an Optical Signal

FIG. 25 illustrates a high level block diagram of an optical converter 2502, in accordance with the present invention. The optical converter 2502 receives an optical signal 2504. In an embodiment, optical signal 2504 is modulated with information from an information signal. In an example implementation, the optical signal 2504 is amplitude modulated with the information signal. The invention is not limited to these example embodiments.

The optical converter 2502 converts the optical signal 2504 to one or more electrical signals 2506, while preserving the information. In an embodiment, the electrical signals 2506 include a demodulated baseband information signal and multiple modulated signals at harmonic frequencies of a control signal. The control signal is discussed below. The electrical signals 2506 can be filtered to select one or more desired signals.

FIG. 26 illustrates an example embodiment of the optical converter 2502, including an optical/electrical transducer storage device (“optical transducer”) 2602, and a universal frequency translator (UFT) 2604. The optical transducer 2602 converts the optical signal 2504 into one or more electrical signals 2606, while preserving the modulating information.

The optical transducer 2602 can be any of a variety of types of conventional optical to electrical converter devices. For example, and without limitation, the optical transducer 2606 can be a charge coupled device (“CCD”), a photo multiplier tube, and/or any other device(s) that generate the electrical signals 2606 based on received light photons.

FIG. 27 illustrates an example implementation of the optical transducer 2602, including an optical-to-charge converter 2702, and a charge storage device 2704. The optical-to-charge converter 2702 converts the optical signal 2504 into electrical charge. The charge storage device 2704 stores the electrical charge.

The examples embodiments of optical transducer 2602 are provided for illustrative purposes only. Based on the description herein, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that the optical transducer 2602 can be implemented with a variety of other types of devices.

Referring back to FIG. 26, the UFT 2604 can be implemented in any of a variety of configurations. FIG. 28 illustrates an example implementation of the UFT 2604, including a switch 2802.

In FIG. 29, the optical converter 2502 includes a storage device 2904, illustrated here as a capacitor, 2906. Other implementation examples are discussed herein. A significance of the storage device 2904 will be apparent from the timing diagrams illustrated in FIGS. 32-37, discussed below.

The UFT 2604 is preferably operated at five to ten times the symbol rate of the information modulating the optical signal 2504. In an example implementation, the optical signal 2504 has a frequency of approximately 10¹⁵ Hz and a symbol rate of approximately 10⁹ bits per second (e.g., OC-196=9.66 Gbits/sec), and the UFT 2604 is operated at approximately 5×10⁹ to 10¹⁰ Hz. FIG. 34, which is discussed below, illustrates an example control signal for controlling the UFT 2604. Based on the descriptions herein, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that other implementations of the UFD 2602 are also possible.

In FIG. 30, the optical converter 2502 includes a load 3002, which is illustrated here as a resistor 3004. A significance of the load 3002 will be apparent from the timing diagrams illustrated in FIGS. 32-37, discussed below.

FIG. 31 is similar to FIG. 30, with exemplary details of the optical transducer 2602.

FIG. 32 illustrates an example portion 3202 of the optical signal 2504, including an optical pulse 3204. In FIG. 31, the optical-to-charge converter 2702 receives the portion 3202 of the optical signal 2504 and converts it to electrical charge. The electrical charge is stored in the charge storage device 2704. If the output of the charge storage device 2704 was disconnected from the UFT 2604, the charge storage device 2704 would continue to store charge as illustrated in FIG. 33, for the duration of the optical pulse 3204 illustrated in FIG. 32.

However, in accordance with the present invention, the UFT 2604 periodically transfers energy (e.g., charge) from the charge storage device 2704 to the storage device 2904. FIG. 34 illustrates an example control signal 3402 for controlling the UFT 2604. The control signal 3402 includes energy transfer pulses 3404, which repeat a rate described above with reference to the symbol rate.

As a result of transferring the energy, the charge storage device 2704 is periodically discharged, as illustrated by a charging signal 3502 in FIG. 35. More specifically, the charging signal 3502 is discharged during each energy transfer pulse in FIG. 34. In an embodiment, the charge storage device 2704 is completely or nearly completely discharged during the energy transfer pulses of FIG. 34. In between the energy transfer pulses, the charging signal 3502 receives charge from the optical-to-charge converter 2702, for the duration of the optical pulse 3204 illustrated in FIG. 32.

When energy is transferred from the charge storage device 2704 to the storage device 2904, the storage device 2904 charges. The load 3002 permits controlled discharging of the storage device 2904, illustrated in FIG. 37, so that the charge on the storage device 2904 more closely resembles the information on the optical signal 2504. In other words, the load 3002 prevents runaway charging of the storage device 2904. Were it not for the load 3002, the storage device would charge substantially as illustrated in FIG. 36. In other words, the storage device would continually charge for the duration of the optical pulse 3204. After the optical pulse 3204, the charge on the storage device 2904 would remain constant until some later time optical pulse.

The load 3002 is provided as an example of a system for causing the transferred energy to mimic the information on the optical signal 2504. Based on the description herein, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that other systems and methods can be utilized to cause the transferred energy to more closely resemble the information on the optical signal 2504.

The UFT 2604, the control signal 3404, and the storage device 2904, together generate the electrical signals 2505, including a baseband information signal and multiple modulated electrical signals. The baseband information signal is a substantial replica of the information signal that modulated the optical signal 2504. The modulated electrical signals occur at harmonics of the frequency of the control signal 3402, up to 1/T_(A), where T_(A) is the aperture of the pulses 3404 on the control signal 3402. The modulated electrical signals include the information that modulated the optical signal 2504. The electrical signals 2506 can be filtered to obtain one or more signals of interest.

The present invention can thus be used to convert optical signals to baseband electrical signals and/or to convert optical signals to RF electrical signals, while preserving information content of the optical signals. In other words, a UFT simultaneously up-converts and down-converts.

8.1.1. In-Phase and Quadrature-Phase Conversion

The present invention can be implemented to convert an optical in-phase/quadrature-phase signal to electrical in-phase/quadrature-phase signals, including demodulated baseband electrical information signals and modulated signals at harmonics of a control signal. The modulation/demodulation mode is described for example purposes only. The invention is applicable to other modes.

FIG. 38A illustrates an example I&Q optical converter 3802 for converting an optical in-phase/quadrature-phase signal 3802. The I&Q optical converter 3802 includes an optical phase splitter 3810, an in-phase, or I-phase, optical converter 3806, and a quadrature phase, or Q-phase, optical converter 3808.

The I-phase optical converter 3806 and the Q-phase optical converter 3808 can be implemented as previously described. For example, FIG. 38B illustrates an example implementation of the I&Q optical converter 3802. Based on the description herein, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand how to implement other embodiments of the I&Q optical converter 3802. Such other embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

8.2. Method for Converting an Optical Signal

FIG. 38C illustrates an example process flowchart 3818, for converting an optical signal to electrical signals, including baseband information signals and modulating signals at multiple harmonics. In an embodiment, the process flowchart 3818 is implemented with the optical converter 2502. The process flowchart 3818 is described below with reference to the optical converter 2502, as illustrated in FIG. 31. However, the process flowchart 3818 is not limited to the implementation of the optical converter 2502 provided herein. Based on the description herein, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that the process flowchart 3818 can be implemented with systems other than the optical converter 2502.

In FIG. 28C, processing starts at step 3820, convert an optical signal to electrical charge. In an example embodiment, step 3820 is performed by the optical transducer 2602.

Processing then proceeds to step 3822, accumulate the electrical charge. In an embodiment, step 3822 is performed by the charge storage device 2704.

Processing then proceeds to step 3824, periodically transfer the accumulated electrical charge to a storage device, whereby the periodically transferred accumulated electrical charge forms electrical information signals, including a demodulated electrical information signal and modulated electrical signals at multiple harmonics. In an embodiment, step 3824 is performed when the charge accumulated the charge storage device 2704 is transferred to the storage device 2904 by the UFT 2604, whereby the charge in the storage device 2904, in conjunction with the load 3002, forms the electrical signals 2506.

9. CONCLUSIONS

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A method of demodulating an optical data signal to retrieve information, comprising: receiving the optical data signal with in-phase and quadrature phase components; optically phase-splitting the optical data signal into in-phase and quadrature components; converting the phase-split optical signal to electrical charge; accumulating said electrical charge; periodically transferring said accumulated charge; accumulating said transferred charge over multiple charge transfer cycles; and controllably discharging partially said accumulated transferred charge, resulting in at least one electrical information signal representative of the information that was used to modulate the optical data signal.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said periodically transferring comprises sampling said accumulated charge according to a control signal.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said sampling comprises sampling said accumulated charge at a rate that is based on a symbol rate of said electrical information signal.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein said sampling is performed at a rate that is greater than a symbol rate of said electrical information signal.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein said sampling is performed at a rate that is between 5 and 10 times greater than a symbol rate of said electrical information signal.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein said sampling comprises transferring energy from said accumulated charge to a demodulated electrical signal.
 7. The method of claim 2, wherein said sampling comprises transferring energy from said accumulated charge to a load.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising forming a voltage across said load to produce a demodulated electrical signal.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrical information signal comprises a demodulated electrical information signal.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrical information signal comprises one or more modulated electrical signals at multiple harmonics.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said multiple harmonics are harmonics of a characteristic frequency of said control signal.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein said controllably discharging comprises discharging energy from said accumulated transferred charge at a rate determined by a control signal.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said controllably discharging comprises sampling said accumulated charge at a rate determined by said control signal.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising storing said discharged energy.
 15. A method of demodulating an optical data signal to retrieve information, comprising: receiving the optical data signal with in-phase and quadrature phase components; optically phase-splitting the optical data signal into in-phase and quadrature phase components; converting the phase-split optical signal to electrical charge; accumulating said electrical charge; periodically sampling and storing said accumulated charge over multiple charge transfer cycles, according to a control signal, resulting in at least one electrical information signal; and partially transferring said sampled charge to a load, wherein a voltage across said load forms a demodulated signal that is representative of the information that was used to modulate said optical data signal.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said sampling comprises transferring energy from said accumulated charge according to said control signal.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein said sampling is performed at a rate that is greater than a symbol rate of said electrical information signal.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein said sampling is performed at a rate that is between 5 and 10 times greater than said symbol rate of said electrical information signal.
 19. A system for demodulating an optical data signal, comprising: a π/2 optical phase splitter; at least two optical transducers; a controlled switch pair coupled to an output of said optical transducers, wherein said controlled switch pair samples accumulated charge from an output of said optical transducers according to a control signal; a charge storage device pair coupled to said controlled switch pair, wherein said storage device pair stores sampled charge over multiple charge transfer cycles; and a load coupled to said storage device pair.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein said optical transducers comprise: an optical-to-charge converter; and an additional charge storage device coupled to an output of said optical-to-charge converter, wherein said additional charge storage device stores said accumulated charge.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein charge stored on said charge storage device pair represents a demodulated information signal.
 22. A system for demodulating an optical data signal, comprising: a π/2 optical phase-splitter: at least two optical transducers, each having an optical-to-charge converter; a first charge storage device coupled to an output of said optical-to-charge converter, wherein said first charge storage device accumulates charge; a controlled switch pair comprising a first controlled switch and a second controlled switch coupled to an output of each of said optical transducers, wherein each of said first and second controlled switch samples said accumulated charge according to a control signal; and a second and a third charge storage device coupled to an output of each of said controlled switches, wherein said second and third charge storage devices are configured to store sampled charge over multiple charge transfer cycles from said controlled switch pair, whereby said sampled charge represents a demodulated information demodulated from the optical data signal received at said optical transducer.
 23. The system of claim 22, wherein each of said controlled switches samples said accumulated charge at a sampling rate determined by said control signal.
 24. The system of claim 23, wherein said sampling rate is greater than a symbol rate of said demodulated information signal.
 25. The system of claim 24, wherein said sampling rate is between 5 and 10 times greater than symbol rate.
 26. The system of claim 22, wherein each of said controlled switches discharge their respective charge storage device according to said control signal.
 27. The system of claim 22, further comprising a first and a second load each coupled to said second and third charge storage device.
 28. The system of claim 27, wherein said first and second load prevents runaway charging of said second and third storage devices, respectively.
 29. The system of claim 27, wherein a voltage forms across said first and second load, said voltage representative of said demodulated information signal.
 30. A system for demodulating an optical data signal to retrieve an information signal, comprising: an optical phase splitter; an optical transducer, including an optical-to-charge converter; a first charge storage device coupled to an output of said optical-to-charge converter, wherein said first charge storage device accumulates charge; a field effect transistor (FET) coupled to an output of said optical transducer, wherein said FET samples said accumulated charge according to a control signal; and a second charge storage device coupled to an output of said FET, wherein said second charge storage device stores samples of said accumulated charge from said FET over multiple charge transfer cycles, whereby said samples of said accumulated charge represent a demodulated information signal.
 31. The system of claim 30, wherein a gate of said FET is controlled by said control signal.
 32. The system of claim 30, wherein said FET samples said accumulated charge according to said control signal.
 33. The system of claim 30, wherein said FET transfers energy from said accumulated charge to said second charge storage device. 